Former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has alleged a plot by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) to re-arrest him immediately after his release from custody, despite being granted bail by a Federal High Court.
Malami made the allegation through a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Assistant on Media, Mohammed Bello Doka, shortly after the court approved bail for the former minister, his wife and his son.
New Daily Prime earlier reported that a Federal High Court had granted the trio bail for ₦500 million each, with two sureties, in a ruling delivered on Wednesday. The court’s decision was expected to pave the way for their release from the Kuje Correctional Centre, Abuja, pending the continuation of legal proceedings.
However, in the statement, Malami alleged that security operatives were already taking steps to frustrate the bail process by planning a fresh arrest on what he described as “trumped-up and unrelated charges”.
“We are now credibly informed that fresh plans are underway to re-arrest Malami on what are believed to be trumped-up and unrelated charges, immediately after his release on bail in the current matter,” the statement read.
According to the former AGF, intelligence available to him suggests that operatives of the DSS have mounted surveillance around the Kuje Correctional Centre and are on standby to carry out the alleged re-arrest.
“Intelligence available to us further indicates that operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) have mounted surveillance and are on standby to execute this plan,” the statement added.
Malami’s camp described the alleged move as a deliberate attempt to undermine the court’s authority and deny him his constitutional right to liberty. The statement criticised what it called a pattern of granting bail “on paper” while preparing new arrests to ensure continued detention.
“This pattern of actions—granting bail on paper while preparing fresh arrests to ensure continued detention—represents a grave assault on constitutional safeguards and an abuse of state power,” the statement said. “It undermines public confidence in the justice system and raises serious questions about respect for judicial authority.”
The former justice minister further warned that his personal safety and that of his family and associates were at risk. He called on the authorities to be held accountable should any harm or unlawful action occur.
“We therefore place it clearly on record that the safety of Abubakar Malami, SAN, his family, and his staff is under serious threat. Any act of intimidation, unlawful detention, or harm arising from these actions must be fully accounted for by those responsible,” the statement concluded.
As of the time of filing this report, the DSS had not responded publicly to the allegations. The development adds to growing debates around due process, the rule of law and the relationship between security agencies and the judiciary in high-profile cases involving former public officials.
